Third generation ... Kim Jong-un, the youngest son of North the Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who died on December 17. Photo: Reuters An iron hand still rules North Korea's hermit kingdom despite its ruler's death, writes Hamish McDonald. The life of Kim Jo

LITTLE ROCK President Barack Obama has had the mirror-image experience of his predecessor in East Asia. President George W. Bush had a splendid relationship with Japan and its Elvis-loving prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. Bush never clicked with South

President Barack Obama has had the mirror-image experience of his predecessor in East Asia. President George W. Bush had a splendid relationship with Japan and its Elvis-loving prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. Bush never clicked with South Korea’s left

Optimism over ties, often described as strained, prevails, Li Xiaokun and Zheng Yangpeng report in Beijing. The findings of a recent survey seem to be at odds with the commonly held belief that the relationship between China and Japan is, traditionally,

Optimism over ties, often described as strained, prevails, Li Xiaokun and Zheng Yangpeng report in Beijing. The findings of a recent survey seem to be at odds with the commonly held belief that the relationship between China and Japan is, traditionally,

President Obama has had the mirror-image experience of his predecessor in East Asia. President George W. Bush had a splendid relationship with Japan and its prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi. Bush never clicked with South Korea's left-leaning president.